... no cure exists for hepatitis B, a vaccine can prevent the disease. If someone has been already infected, taking certain precautions can help prevent spreading HBV to others. SymptomsMost infants ... repaired. Yet in spite of this, the liver is prone to a number of diseases that can cause serious or irreversible damage, including hepatitis B. Acute vs. chronic hepatitis B Hepatitis B infection ... a few months. When the immune system can't fight off the virus, HBV infection may become life- long, possibly leading to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Most people...